ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Defence
Indian Army Rejuvenates Sarovars
Pune, 10 January 2023
Taking forward the initiative of Rejuvenating & Developing the Sarovars in various town and villages of Southern India, Indian Army deployed in the Southern states carried out a campaign under theme “Mission Armit Sarovars” to revive and develop 75 Sarovars in various parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Kerala and Rajasthan.
In an endeavor to contribute towards the Nation Building and also to commemorate Aazadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and Army Day 2023, Indian Army had undertaken this initiative. Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched on 24 April 2022 by Govt of India with an objective to harvest and conserve water for future generation. Taking forward this initiative, the formations of Southern Command have identified 75 sites in different locations. The work towards this initiative is underway involving Army’s Engineer & PWD resources in conjunction with the civil administration and village panchayats. Creation of these Amrit Sarovars will also form part of overall water harvesting scheme keeping the environmental factors in mind which will greatly assist in ameliorating the water crises of villages.
The Indian Army through this initiative has also endeavored to spread the message of “Jal Hai To Jeevan Hain” involving the entire community and motivating them in taking forward this initiative further. The activity of rejuvenating and developing the Sarovars will be a continued association and will assist in improving the quality of life in the villages and in remote areas of the Country.
At Pune, four locations in the regions of Kirkee & Dighi have been identified where the task of rejuvenation and development is in progress. The task has been undertaken by the Engineers of Bombay Engineers Group utilising their heavy plant resources in clearing, widening and increasing the depth of the existing Sarovars.PIB Pune | M.Iyengar/D.Rane
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Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the demise of Sanskrit and Hindi Scholar, Dr. Rama Kant Shukla
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of Sanskrit and Hindi Scholar, Dr. Rama Kant Shukla.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"संस्कृत और हिन्दी साहित्य जगत में अमूल्य योगदान देने वाले डॉ. रमाकांत शुक्ल जी के देहावसान से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। शोक की इस घड़ी में उनके परिजनों और प्रशंसकों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं। ॐ शांति!"
Special Service and Features
Union Minister Dr. L Murugan interacts with Sanitation workers in Andaman Nicobar; assures their demands to be resolved
Union Information, Broadcastings, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister of State Dr. L Murugan who is on a 3-day official tour to Andaman Nicobar Island has been given a warm welcome.
South Andaman Deputy Commissioner Shri Suneel Anchipaka, District Panchayat President Smt. Pramila Kumari, Port Blair Municipal Chairperson Smt Kavitha Udayakumar, Port Blair Doordarshan and All India Radio officials, Fisheries Department Officials, Andaman BJP party members gave a rousing reception to Union Minister of State Dr. L Murugan.
Union Minister of State Dr. L Murugan interacted with the Sanitation Workers Association members in Andaman Nicobar. The representatives of the association gave a memorandum in which several demands including permanent job with safety measures for those who have completed 18 to 20 years of service, 100 percent job opportunity for the citizens of the Andaman, necessary equipments for sanitation work, uniforms and bonus.
Union Minister of State Dr. L Murugan, who received the memorandum assured that their demands will be looked into it and appropriate action would be taken to get solution.
Union Minister of State Dr. L Murugan also inaugurated the Ratha Yathra of Iyyappa devotees
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Export of guavas sees a surge; records growth of 260% since 2013
Growth of 200% in the export of curd  and paneer  since 2013
The export of guavas from India sees a growth of 260% since 2013. Exports grow from USD 0.58 Million in April-January 2013-14 to USD 2.09 Million in April 2021-22.
India’s export of fresh fruits has also witnessed considerable growth. Fresh Grapes is the largest exported items among all fresh food category. During 2020-21, the export value of Fresh Grapes was USD 314 million. Export of other Fresh Fruits stood at USD 302 million, Fresh Mangoes at USD 36 million and Others  at USD 19 million. During 2020-21, Fresh grapes and Other Fresh Fruits accounted for 92 per cent in India's total export of Fresh Fruits.
India's major exporting destination of fresh fruits during 2020-21 were Bangladesh , Netherland , UAE , UK , Nepal , Iran , Russia , Saudi Arabia , Oman  and Qatar . Top ten countries accounted for 82 per cent in India's export of fresh fruits in 2020-21.
The export of curd  and paneer  has also seen a tremendous growth of 200% from USD 10 Million in April – January 2013-14 to USD 30 Million in April-January 2021022
It may be noted that dairy export is growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 10.5 per cent in the last five years. In 2021-22, India exported USD 181.75 million worth of dairy products and in the current financial year, it is set to surpass the previous year’s export value.
India's major exporting destination of dairy products in 2020-21 were UAE , Bangladesh , U S A , Bhutan , Singapore , Saudi Arabia , Malaysia , Qatar , Oman and Indonesia . Top ten countries accounted for more than 61 per cent share in India's dairy export in 2020-21.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Tribes India Aadi Mahotsav at Dilli Haat – A one-stop gifting destination for all
The theme of the festival is “A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts, Culture and Commerce”
The ongoing Tribes India Aadi Mahotsav is bigger and brighter than the editions before and with about 200 stalls and 1000 participating artisans as well as artists from across the country, it is a mini-India all under one roof.
Like the Tribes India website, the Aadi Mahotsav is a one-stop gifting destination that caters to different types of needs. From the natural and immunity-boosting tribal produce such as organic haldi, dry amla, wild honey, black pepper, ragi, triphala, and lentil mixes such as moong dal, urad dal, white beans, and dalia to artefacts such as paintings be it in the Warli style or Patachitras; from jewellery handcrafted in the Dokra style to bead necklaces from the Wancho and Konyak tribes of the North-East to the rich and vibrant textiles and silks, namely; from colourful puppets and children’s toys to traditional weaves such as Dongria shawls and Bodo weaves; from iron craft from Bastar to bamboo craft and cane furniture; all these are available at one place.
Depending on the requirements and budget, these products can customised into gift hampers. Packaged in premium organic, recyclable, sustainable packing material, designed by renowned designer Ms. Rina Dhaka exclusively for Tribes India, these make for ideal gifts for any occasion.
One can also enjoy exotic foods such as madwa roti, litti chokha, dhuska, banjara biryani, dal baati and churma from different parts of the country here at the festival.
The Aadi Mahotsav- A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts, Culture and Commerce is on at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi till the 15th February, 2020 from 11 am to 9 pm.
Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India inaugurated the tribal festival Aadi Mahotsav in on Monday. On the occasion, Shri Naidu had called for a model of development that preserves the special identity of tribals. “Their culture is their identity”, he said and wanted this culture to remain intact, while drawing the Adivasis into the mainstream. Taking note of the wide range of tribal handicrafts, the Vice President emphasized the need to channelize the natural skills of tribal people to promote and popularize their products and improve their sources of income.
Shri Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs said, “This annual festival showcases traditional art and handicrafts and cultural heritage of the country and connects the tribal artisans with larger markets. This even brings to focus the diversity and richness of the tribes of India.”
The Aadi Mahotsav is an annual event that was started in 2017. The festival is an attempt to familiarise people with the rich and diverse craft, culture of tribal communities across the country, at one place. However, due to the pandemic, the 2020 edition of the festival could not be held.
The theme of the festival is “A Celebration of the Spirit of Tribal Crafts, Culture and Commerce”, which represents the basic ethos of tribal life.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
CPSEs felicitated for exemplary performance in procurement of goods & services from SC-ST Entrepreneurs
Minister of State  for MSME, Giriraj Singh, today felicitated select Central Public Sector Enterprises  for their exemplary work under the Public Procurement Policy for promotion of SC/ST entrepreneurs. Fourteen CPSEs in the Maharatna, Navratna, Miniratna and general categories were felicitated. Seventy CPSEs from across the country participated in this event.
Speaking on the occasion, Giriraj Singh informed that Public Procurement Policy where all Central ministries, departments and PSEs have to procure a minimum 25% of the total annual purchase or services from MSEs of the annual requirement of 25%, 4% is earmarked for units owned by SC-ST entrepreneurs. In addition, 358 items are reserved for exclusive purchase from the MSEs.
He said that the endeavour of the MSME Ministry is to constantly upgrade the technologies adopted by MSMEs to churn out quality products in order to make them marketable and competitive.He said MSMEs were today in the forefront of manufacturing, export and employment creation. He further said that this was made possible through measures such as increasing the limit for provision of collaterals free loans to Rs 2 crore, technology upgradation, cluster development, vendor development and schemes aimed at extending financial benefits to SC-ST entrepreneurs.
The Minister also added that the Ministry of MSME and all CPSEs are on the right path towards achieving the target of 4% procurement from SC/ST enterprises.Giriraj Singh urged CPSEs to raise their procurement from MSMEs and break the “barrier” of 25% and strengthen their ‘sambandh’ with MSMEs in order to bring about inclusivity and growth.
Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Secretary, Ministry of MSME, urged CPSEs to share information of procurement requirements on the MSME Sambandh portal.Dr. Panda said that the procurement from SC/ST MSEs for the current FY stood at over Rs. 520 crore. Orders worth almost Rs. 27,000 crores have been procured from over 63,000 MSEs in 2018-19.He suggested the formation of a committee to examine the conditions of tender documents of CPSEs that were preventing SC-ST entrepreneurs from participation in public procurement.
Ms. Seema Bahuguna, Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises, shared the concerns of the MSME Ministry and emphasized that quality issues in procurement were real and should be addressed. In this context, she said that the private sector too would have to contribute its might to source products and services from SC-ST entrepreneurs.
The CPSEs which where felicitated includeIndian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, NMDC Limited, NBCC  Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, National Small Industries Corporation Limited, MMTC National Film Development Corporation, PEC, Food Corporation of India and Jute Corporation of India.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
NCSCDA organises free job drive
National Career Service Centre for Differently Abled , Directorate General of Employment , Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India had successfully organised a free job drive for Hearing Impaired PwDs dt. 12.08.2022 in its office campus at Pokhariput, Bhubaneswar.
This event has been made successful under the supervision of Smt. Sonalika Suman, Psychologist/Head of Office and the cooperation of other staff members of the centre. In the said job drive there were around 20 vacancies for the post of Assistant at Flipkart unit at Khordha. The job drive was conducted by Shri Pratik Mishra & Shri Jagan Das Mohapatra of manpower agency Quess Corp Limited. A total number of 22 Hearing Impaired PwDs job seekers participated in the said event belonging to different districts of the state out of which 21 jobseekers got shortlisted for the second round of interview.
Smt. Sonalika Suman, thanked the manpower agency Quess Corp Limited for their participation in the job drive and requested them to participate in more such event conducted by NCSCDA, Bhubaneswar.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President to participate in various programmes in Chennai and Andhra Pradesh
Going to lay foundation stone for Aluminum Alloy Development and Manufacturing facility
Will also flag-off Gudur-Vijayawada Intercity Express
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu is scheduled to visit Chennai and Andhra Pradesh from August 24, 2019 to August 29, 2019 and participate in various programmes during this period.
On August 24, 2019, the Vice President will participate in the 150th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Sri Dharmamurthi Rao Bahadur Calavala Cunnan Chetty in Chennai.
On August 25, 2019, the Vice President will flag off the Gudur-Vijayawada Intercity Express at Gudur Railway Station in Andhra Pradesh. He will also visit the 6.6 km long tunnel constructed between Cherlopalli and Rapuru railway stations in a horseshoe design, this tunnel is an engineering marvel. At noon, he will attend the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Convocation Ceremony of Vikrama Simhapuri University at Sri Kasturba Kala Kshetram, Nellore.
On August 26, 2019, Shri Naidu will be the Chief Guest at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of Aluminum Alloy Development and Manufacturing facility, a Joint Venture of Nalco & Midhani at Industrial Park, Bodduvaripalem Kodaluvuru, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
On August 27, 2019, Shri Naidu will interaction with Trainees of various skill development programs and exhibition on products done by trainees being organised by Swarna Bharat trust in association with AP Skill Development Corporation at the Swarna Bharat Trust, Atkur, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
On August 28, 2019, the Vice President will be the Chief Guest at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Naval Science & Technological Laboratory , at NSTL, DRDO, Vizag, Andhra Pradesh.
On August 29, 2019, Shri Naidu will visit the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research  at Vizag, Andhra Pradesh.
Election Commission
Poll results can be simultaneously viewed in real time through Voter Helpline App and ECI Website on Counting Day
Kolkata, May 14, 2019
This time general public will be able to view poll results in real time on the counting day of May 23, through the linkwww.results.eci.gov.in in the website and through voter helpline mobile app of the Election Commission of India . Each round of counting will be followed by verification, after which the results will be directly uploaded in the new Suvidha App, stated Shri Sanjay Basu, Additional Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, here today. Hence, trends and updates on Lok Sabha Election 2019 will be available simultaneously in the ECI website, voter helpline mobile app and giant auto scrolling panels that will be fixed in the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer. At the counting centres, postal ballots will be first taken up and then Electronic Voting Machines will be handled on the counting day of May 23, Shri Basu further said. The returning officers will enter the data directly to the system from the counting centres.
Today, a video conference was organised by Election Commission of India, in which demonstrations were provided about the working of this new Suvidha App by Dr Kushal Pathak, Director, Informations and Communications Technology in ECI. On May 21, a test run of uploading counting results in this app will be held, informed Shri Sanjay Basu in a press meet .
This apart, speaking about the 7th phase of polling in West Bengal which will be held on coming Sunday , Shri Basu informed that five percent more VVPATs may be kept in reserve on the last polling day.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Projects worth Rs 13308 crores awarded for upgradation of Ports in last three years: Shri Mansukh Mandaviya
In a written reply to the question in Rajya Sabha regarding the expenditure incurred on upgradation of Ports & Harbours and Port facilities, the Minister of State for Shipping and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya stated that during the last 3 years, a number of projects involving total project cost of Rs.13308.41 crore have been awarded on the upgradation of the major ports. The details of the infrastructure development projects awarded during the last three years are as follows:
|
|
F.Y.
|
|
No. of Projects
|
|
Expenditure/
Investment

|
|
Capacity

|
|
2016-17
|
|
54
|
|
8484.47
|
|
92.09
|
|
2017-18
|
|
25
|
|
2659.73
|
|
21.93
|
|
2018-19
|
|
25
|
|
2164.21
|
|
10.73
|
|
Total
|
|
104
|
|
13308.41
|
|
124.75
Shri Mandaviya further informed the House that the mentioned funds were allotted to these projects pertaining to construction of new berths/harbours and terminals, mechanization of existing berths/ harbours and terminals, capital dredging for deepening of drafts for attracting large vessels, developing of road and rail connectivity etc.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot to Participate in ‘2nd Global Disability Summit’ at buenos aires from 6-8 June, 2019
A delegation headed by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot and comprising Secretary, DEPwD, Smt Shankutala Gamlin, Joint Secretary, DEPwD, Dr. Prabodh Seth and Shri Neeraj Semwal, Private Secretary to Union Minister is leaving for Argentina today to participate in the “2nd Global Disability Summi”t to be held at Buenos Aires, Argentina during 6-8 June 2019. The objective of the summit is to deliberate on issues across the world concerning empowerment and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities  and to work out a mechanism for enabling them to live an independent and dignified life. The Union Minister had also attended the ‘1st Global Disability Summit’ held in London in July 2018.
The delegation will also participate in the bilateral discussions with Government of Argentina for developing a Memorandum of Understanding  between the two countries on 9-10 June 2019.
Prime Minister's Office
We are constantly working towards ensuring our prized heritage comes back home: PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has reiterated the government's commitment to bring back national heritage from abroad. Responding to a tweet by the Union Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy where the Minister informed that a metal idol of Lord Hanuman that was stolen from a Vishnu Temple, Shri Varatharaja Perumal, Pottaveli Vellur, Ariyalur Dist., dated back to the Chola Period  was handed over to the Indian Embassy in Australia.
Till date 251 antiquities have been retrieved back from different countries, out of which 238 have been brought back since 2014, the Prime Minister tweeted :
"We are constantly working towards ensuring our prized heritage comes back home."
President's Secretariat
President of India inaugurates ‘Festival of Democracy’ in Thiruvananthapuram; says culture of debate and mutual accommodation in Kerala must take on tendencies of political violence
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, inaugurated the ‘Festival of Democracy’ in Thiruvananthapuram today  to mark the conclusion of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Kerala legislative assembly.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that politics, public life and the quality of democracy are a reflection of the essential ethos of a society. As such, the Kerala assembly and its debates and discussions, the humanistic values that it has historically advocated and legislated on, are a mirror to the traditions of this state.
The President said that even in previous centuries, Kerala’s social framework has encouraged debate and dialogue. This was the way of farsighted reformers such as Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Narayana Guru and Ayyankali. This was the motivation for the discourse between people of so many great faiths and spiritual traditions – Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and others that have counted Kerala as among their earliest homes. The President said that a person may believe in one faith or the other – or he or she may not believe in any faith at all. That is not important. What is important is that the culture of educated and informed debate and of mutual accommodation that has been part of Kerala’s DNA continues to be preserved.
Praising the civil and learned conduct of the Kerala legislative assembly over the past 60 years, the President said that nevertheless there remains the paradox of political violence in Kerala, especially in some regions of the state. This is unfortunate and does little justice to the glorious traditions of the state and its people. It is important for all political groups and all enlightened citizens to do their utmost to curb the development of such tendencies. Debate, dissent and disagreement are perfectly acceptable and should be welcomed in our polity. But violence has no place in our Constitution.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
MoS  Dr Jitendra Singh gives Appointment letters to candidates appointed on compassionate grounds in DoPT
The Union Minister of State  for Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh gave appointment letters to the candidates selected on the basis of compassionate grounds in Department of Personnel & Training , here today. The Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances and Department of Pensions, Shri K. V. Eapen and senior officers of the Ministry were also present on the occasion. The letters were presented to 9 such candidates selected for appointment as MTS in DoPT.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the Government has a system of compassionate appointments where employment is given to the dependents of the deceased Government servants who have died before reaching their retirement. The appointments are given to the most suitable applicants based on their penury conditions and to support their livelihood. He expressed happiness and satisfaction that this pending process has been completed by DoPT. The Minister said that this is a human issue and this step will help these families in meeting their livelihood needs. He added that 18 such vacancies were there, out of which 9 have been selected and given appointment letters today. He conveyed his wishes to the candidates and encouraged them to work hard to contribute to the Government system.
The last such appointment was made during the year 2014 against the vacancies that occurred for the year 2011. Present appointments are being made for the vacancies that occurred since the year 2012 and onwards. In total, 18 vacancies occurred during these years, for which 18 applications were received. Accordingly, in order to ensure that appointment on compassionate ground should go only to the most deserving dependents, a Sub-Committee was constituted to physically verify their penury conditions. The Sub-Committee had submitted its report on 03.05.2019. Finally, the Screening Committee met on 15th May, 2019 to assess the suitability of the applicants on the basis of the Guidelines on Compassionate appointments. The Screening Committee also considered the report of the Sub-Committee and recommended 09 most suitable applicants for appointment to the post of MTS on compassionate ground against vacancies that have arisen since 2012.
Thus, a very important long pending issue of appointments on compassionate ground in DoPT has been resolved within a very short span of time for which the bereaved families of the deceased employees were waiting for last 7 years.